Pavlov Posad is a humble little town around 80 km from Moscow, and yet its name is known to every Russian. It is home to the famous printed scarf of Pavlov Posad. Printed silk and wool scarves have traditionally been one of the most favorite among Russian women who...

If you ever wanted to actually stay at an authentic old-time Russian house then I’ve got good news for you: one such unique house actually exists in the town of Suzdal. Suzdal, a small town around 250 km from Moscow, is itself a real open-air museum with some of the...

If anyone thinks today’s store-bought Russian vodka in is hardly drinkable, they’re absolutely right! But this was not the case before 1917. Traditions of strong spirits making in pre-revolutionary Russia were rich and technologies elaborate, with countless variations...

Everyone who first sees traditional Russian wooden houses with their fine, lacy carving of window cases, door frames and porches can’t help to admire their fairy-like appearance. Perhaps one of the most well-known houses in Russia is Kirillov’s house (Дом кузнеца...

Another absolutely fascinating private museum project can be found in the depths of Saratovskaya region, a small village of Popovka (around 1000 km from Moscow). The Lion-House museum was founded by Yulia Terekhova, a passionate explorer of folk wood painting...

For the truly authentic, age-old Russia, you need to travel slightly further away from the capital. If you are adventurous enough, try heading towards Arkhangelskaya region and discover the village of Kimzha (Кимжа), some 1,500 km away from Moscow. It is a true...

In pre-revolutionary Russia, many towns and villages were well-known centers of crafts. Some gained nation-wide reputation for excellence of craftsmanship and supplied the entire country with their produce. The towns along the Volga river were particularly famous for...

A treasure to be found just 120 km from Moscow, in Tverskaya region, is a small town called Kimry (Кимры). It is well worth a visit, most importantly, for its fantastic architectural heritage but also for its fascinating history. Kimry was first mentioned in the...

One of the largest open-air museums of Russian wooden architecture is located in the town of Kostroma, around 330 km to the north from Moscow. It hosts an impressive collection of secular and religious wooden constructions from various parts of the Kostroma region...

This magnificent wooden palace was built in late 19th century by a local entrepreneur Sazonov for his second wife born in a nearby village. The palace was designed by Ivan Ropet whose design projects were a hit at the world architecture...

Photos by: Lyubov Zolotova Those who wish to experience some of a more provincial Russia and immerse in its cozy atmosphere will love Kolomna, an old town 100 km away from Moscow. It is ideal for a one- or two- day visit. The town is relatively small but its...

The Pastila Museum interiors. Photo from http://40meridian.ru/arbat/tourism/tours/tours_inn.php?ID=372 If you want to explore one of the provincial towns in the vicinity of Moscow, don’t miss the cozy, picturesque Kolomna, and most importantly, its major highlight –...